Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-02-04
ALABAMA M0ONSHINERS.
scsnes In an Illicit Stiil A Chiid's Pftiful
Situation.

The visit to an Illicit still was under an
oath characteristic Of the mountainear,
wi oh was sacred and binding.
1t was about two miles in the noun
ta'~s, away from any settlement. The
d.-.-ace was travelled ON the back OF u
| mo"7tain colt.
| After following narrow, beaten track
| through bushes, over rocks, down hill
6 IS, across ravines and through noun
| t. 4 passes, u point Of a precipice was
rec "hcd.
Ny companions pointed to the depths
below and told me to watch q certain
| spot. blue curl OF smoke arose. which
was from the still we werc going to
visit.
Then down the narrow mountain side
we rode, guided by the sensible animal.
II a slip of his foot was made, eternity
would have been our doom.
Soon a point was reached about 200
var Is from the still. One of my COM
p@..ions took from his pocket whistle,
male OF piece OF reed, and gave two
sh' Il whistles, which were answered.
The animals were tied. and one of the
men said to the other, Jim, his peppers
are too good; I guess we had better
cover them"
With these words the two men pro-
ccedcd to bind a cloth over my eyes.
After walking around and about, cave
was entered.
When the door was thrown back, my
eyes were freed and O scene OF interest
was pictured.
The room was q cavern dug out OF
coal deposit, about twenty by sixteen
feet. in which were arranged the worms
nj barrels with piles of corn and dried
ruit. Hanging about were guns and
pistols, near which was slide made to
open and close at a moments notice.
The interior was suggestive Of the wild
nature Of the mountains. The men in
side were dressed in clothing of coarse
material made at home. Their arms were
barred and grizzly with hair. Their faces
caused them to havc the appearance Of
demons.
In q corner OF the cavern was a man
busily engaged in pouring wildcat whisky
in O funnel, which was conveyed of
through pipe made Of mountain cane.
Who're does that go tor" was asked
You can't know all, stranger; whar
that runs to you nor any other man
will know, but it Is taken of you can
bet on It,"
Behind tub OF sour mash was a little
ragged nine-year-old child, who had q
oblCA lH6 COHLcHlS. Liz HILLS
thing was covered with dirt and half clad
in coarse homespun.
Chunk it up, Mag, and come hereand
see the stranger"
The child, half frightened and covered,
approached me, but her timidity over
came her and she stopped.
Come here, you little hell cat and
sing, was spoken by one of the men.
The child began to sing in voice
as plaintivo as a dove, and before she
had finished the tears were streaming
down her checks.
What is the child's namc?" was
asked.
I'VE call her Mag. for short. That
child has a history as long as your
lrm, but she will never tell it. She
Knows She will get the strap"
Poor little pitiful object to be in the
hands Of such demons. But how did she
get there?
Her dark blue. childish eyes looked
up, moistened with tears, md pleaded to
DC spared the lash. Her story was .
strange one, and was calculated to touch
,he chords OF a hardened heart.
Ole cold moraing six years bc.cre. n
IN was seen slowly riding clong the
lOdntain road with Child in front
md ne tenderly clasped her wraps around
ucr.
UP the mountain higher were two mon
who had been introduced. and they were
gazing at the sight below.
Take the glass and see II you arc sure
he is spy"
Soon the sharp ring Of rife was heard
and the traveller dropped lifeless fro.
his saddle, and the child was taken to the
cave of the moonshiners. The child I'D
been there since.
The duty OF the child Is to mix sour
mash and keep her mouth closed, wnlc4
she performs faithfully.
The question was asked Of these men:
Are you not afraid of the revenue me-
and will they not get you?'
Stranger, we are not afraid OF heaven
or hell, much less anything on two legs.
We are trying to make an honest living,
lad the man who tries to stop US dies
lat's all. The law has got TO take the
lmc chances we do Huntsville Cor
respondence Of Atlanta Constitution.